Banding device

ABSTRACT

A device for applying a non-elastic plastic band securely around an article of commerce and its associated packaging includes a substantially automated feed mechanism for extracting the band from a continuous film at a modifiable length and tension. The feed mechanism includes a pair of arcuate guides that assist in directing the band through a first hole in the packaging, across the article, and through a second hole in the packaging so the ends of the band are disposed on the same side of the packaging. A sensor uses machine readable features within the film to detect film positioning within the device. A clamping device retains the ends of the band together in an overlapping relationship. The trailing end of the band is separated from the remainder of the continuous film by a severing mechanism. Thereafter, the ends of the band are then permanently bonded together by a thermal bonding mechanism, thereby securing the band in its closed loop configuration around the article and its packaging.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/154395 filed Apr. 29, 2015, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the retail industry and, moreparticularly, to devices for securing an article of commerce to itsrespective packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the retail industry, an article of commerce is commonly secured topackaging in order to, inter alia, protect the article during transport,minimize the risk of article theft or tampering, and display the articleat the point-of-sale. Packaging used in the retail industry is oftenconstructed out of a thick, paper-based material, such as paperboard,chipboard, cardboard or the like. Various techniques are known in theart for securing an article of commerce to a paper-based packagingmaterial.

For instance, plastic fasteners are often used to secure an article toits respective packaging. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,078 to A. R. Bone, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, there aredisclosed several different types of plastic fasteners. Each plasticfastener described in the '078 patent is manufactured in a generallyH-shaped configuration, with two shortened parallel cross-bars, orT-bars, being interconnected at their appropriate midpoints by a single,thin, flexible filament which extends orthogonally there between.

Plastic fasteners of the type described above are commonly fabricated aspart of a continuously connected supply of fastener stock, which is alsocommonly referred to in the art simply as ladder stock due to itsladder-like appearance. One type of ladder stock that well known in theart is presently manufactured and sold by Avery Dennison RetailInformation Services LLC, through its Fastener Division in Fitchburg,Mass. under the PLASTIC STAPLE® and ELASTIC STAPLE® lines of plasticfasteners. This brand of ladder stock is produced from one or moreflexible plastic materials, such as nylon, polypropylene and the like,and includes a pair of elongated and continuous side members, or rails,which are interconnected by a plurality of equidistantly spacedcross-links.

Automated plastic fastener dispensing devices, or machines, are wellknown in the art and are commonly used to dispense individual plasticfasteners from a reel of ladder-type fastener stock by severing the siderails at the approximate midpoint between successive cross-links. Forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,413,866 to W. J. Cooper et al., thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, there isdisclosed one well known type of plastic fastener dispensing device thatis presently manufactured and sold by Avery Dennison Retail InformationServices LLC, through its Fastener Division located in Fitchburg, Mass.known as the ST9500® fastener system.

In use, a fastener dispensing device of the type as described above canbe used to secure an article to its corresponding packaging.Specifically, with the article disposed against the packaging, a pair ofparallel, hollow needles on the fastener dispensing device is linearlydriven through the packaging on opposite sides of the item (i.e., withthe item positioned between the needles). A feed mechanism then advanceseach rail of the supply ladder stock into axial alignment behind thelongitudinal bore defined by a corresponding hollow needle. With eachrail disposed as such, a severing mechanism severs each rail at theapproximate midpoint between the two lowermost cross-links, therebyseparating an individual fastener from the remainder of the ladderstock. Having separated an individual fastener from the ladder stock, anejection mechanism ejects the cross-bars of the separated fastenerthrough the bores of the pair of hollowed needles and, in turn, throughthe packaging previously penetrated by the needles.

During the fastener ejection process, each cross-bar is twisted into asubstantially parallel relationship relative to the outer portions ofthe filament in order to allow for its penetration through therelatively small hole formed in the packaging by its correspondingneedle. Once each cross-bar passes through the hole in the packaging,the resilient construction of the plastic fastener causes each cross-barto return to its original perpendicular orientation relative to thefilament. Accordingly, upon completion of the fastener dispensingprocess, the inner surface of each generally cylindrical cross-bar liesflat against one surface of the packaging along a generally linearregion of contact. At the same time, the majority of the stretchablefilament extends tightly across the item on the opposite side of thepackaging, thereby retaining the item to the packaging in a relativelysecure fashion.

The use of plastic fasteners to secure an article of commerce to itsrespective packaging has been found to suffer from a notableshortcoming. Specifically, as referenced above, plastic fasteners haverelatively high elongation properties. Accordingly, each plasticfastener will increase in length, or strain, upon the application of atensile force thereto. As a result, the elasticity of plastic fastenerscan compromise article security. Most notably, an unscrupulous consumercan stretch the fastener to the extent necessary that the article can beseparated from its associated packaging.

In response thereto, fastening devices with relatively low elongationproperties have been increasingly utilized in packaging applications,particularly when article security is of critical importance. Forinstance, cable ties, also commonly known as bundling ties andharnessing devices, are commonly utilized in packaging applications tosecure an article of commerce to its respective packaging. Once reliablysecured to its associated packaging, the article is typically renderedless susceptible to theft or other forms of tampering than packagingthat relies upon the use of elastic fasteners.

One type of cable tie which is well known and commonly used in the artcomprises an elongated strap that is secured, at one of its ends, to anapertured head. The free end of the elongated strap is typically shapedto define a tail of narrowed width to facilitate insertion through theapertured head. A plurality of serrations, or teeth, is formed along onesurface of the elongated strap along the majority of its length.Additionally, an internal pawl, or locking tang, is disposed within theapertured head and is adapted to sequentially engage the serrations onthe strap.

A cable tie of the type as described above is commonly used in thefollowing manner to secure an article of commerce (e.g. a handheld toolor toy) to its associated packaging (e.g. a generally planar displaycard). Specifically, the article is disposed in its desired positionagainst the front surface of the desired packaging. A pair of narrowslots, each having the approximate dimensions of the strap in transversecross-section, is preferably preformed or subsequently punched into thepackaging on opposite sides of the article in close proximity thereto.With the head of the cable tie positioned behind the rear surface ofpackaging, the free end of the strap is inserted forward through one ofthe slots, wrapped transversely across the article, and insertedrearward through the other of the slots.

The cable tie is then formed into a closed loop by inserting the freeend of the serrated strap through the apertured head. With the cable tieformed into a closed loop, the free end of the serrated strap isadvanced through the apertured head until the strap cinches tightlyacross the article, the internal pawl lockably engaging the serrationsof the strap to prevent withdrawal, or backing out, of the strap fromthe apertured head. In this manner, the engagement of the internal pawlonto the serrated strap secures the cinched cable tie in its closed loopconfiguration and thereby retains the article firmly against the frontsurface of the packaging.

Although useful and reliable in securing an article of commerce to itspackaging, the use of cable ties in packaging applications has beenfound to suffer from a notable drawback. Specifically, securing anarticle to its packaging using cable ties is typically accomplished in amanual fashion, by forming each tie, by hand, into a closed loop.Additionally, any excess strap (i.e. the portion of the strap which doesnot form the closed loop) is often manually trimmed for aestheticpurposes and/or to ensure that the loose, free end of the strap does notcause any inadvertent damage to the article or its packaging. As can beappreciated, the aforementioned manual steps render the overallpackaging process time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive toimplement, which is highly undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedband for securing an article of commerce to its corresponding packaging.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a band asdescribed above that has relatively low elongation properties and istherefore less susceptible to tampering.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a band thatis clear and visually unobtrusive.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a band thatcontains graphics conveying specific information such as brand logos,trademarks, trade dress.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a band thatcontains radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved banding device for applying the band as described above to thearticle and its corresponding packaging.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bandingdevice as described above that applies the band to the article and itscorresponding packaging in a simple, effective and largely automatedfashion.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide abanding device as described above that has a limited number of parts, iseasy to use and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Accordingly, as a feature of the present invention, there is provided abanding device for securing together first and second objects with aband derived from a continuous plastic film, the band having first andsecond ends, the device comprising (a) a feed mechanism for extractingthe band from the continuous plastic film and at least partiallydirecting the band around the first and second objects, (b) a sensor fordetecting machine readable features in the plastic film, (c) a clampingmechanism for retaining the first end of the band in an overlappingrelationship, (d) a tensioning mode that controls the amount of looptension in the band around the first and second objects, and (e) abonding mechanism for bonding the first and second ends together tosecure the band in a closed loop configuration.

As another feature of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor securing together first and second objects with a band derived froma continuous plastic film, the band having first and second ends, atleast one of the first and second objects having a pair of holes, themethod comprising the steps of (a) extracting the band from thecontinuous plastic film and at least partially directing the bandthrough the pair of holes and around the first and second objects, (b)sensing machine readable features in the plastic film to detect plasticfilm positioning, (c) retaining the first end of the band in anoverlapping relationship, (d) tensioning the band around the first andsecond objects, and (e) bonding the first and second ends together tosecure the band in a closed loop configuration.

Various other features and advantages will appear from the descriptionto follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodimentwill be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in theart to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a banding device constructedaccording to the teachings of the present invention, the banding devicebeing shown in relation to an article and its associated packaging whichare to be secured together;

FIGS. 1(a)-(d) are magnified views of selected components from FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the article secured to its packaging by a bandapplied from the banding device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2(a) is a top view of the article secured to its packaging as shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 2(b) is an isometric view of the article secured to its packagingas shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3(a)-(i) are simplified section views of selected components ofthe banding device shown in FIG. 1, taken along lines A-A, at variousstages during the process of banding the article to its associatedpackaging; and

FIGS. 4(a)-(e) are various shapes, patterns or geometries that canassist in directing heat from a heat stake head to overlapping ends of aclosed loop band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Construction of Banding Device 11

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a banding device constructedaccording to the teachings of the present invention, the banding devicebeing identified generally by reference numeral 11. As will be explainedin detail below, banding device 11 is specifically designed to apply anon-elastic plastic band securely around an article of commerce and itscorresponding packaging in a simple, effective and largely automatedfashion.

In the description that follows, device 11 is shown securing an articleof commerce 12 to its associated packaging 13. As defined herein,article of commerce 12 represents any product that is typically securedto packaging as part of its transport and/or display for sale. Forinstance, article 12 may be in the form of a conventional retailarticle, such as a handheld tool, toy or the like.

Packaging 13 is represented herein as a display, or line cardconstructed out of, but not limited to, a thick, paper-based material,such as paperboard, chipboard, cardboard or the like. As can be seen,packaging 13 has a generally planar construction with a substantiallyflat top surface 14 and a substantially flat bottom surface 15.Additionally, packaging 13 is shaped to define a pair of pre-punchedslots 16-1 and 16-2, the function of which will become apparent below.

It should be noted that device 11 is not limited for use with card-typepackaging 13. Rather, it is to be understood that device 11 could beused with alternative forms of packaging (e.g. a cardboard box orplastic clam shell) without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. Accordingly, as defined herein, packaging 13 represents anyitem of any shape, style or material to which an article of commerce canbe secured.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, banding device 11 is constructed as acompact and unitary machine that is designed to apply a non-elasticplastic band securely around article 12 and packaging 13 in a simple,effective and largely automated fashion. As will be described in detailbelow, banding device 11 is adapted to receive a continuous supply of anon-elastic plastic film 18, wrap a separable segment, or band, 17 offilm 18 around commercial article 12 and packaging 13, apply tensionwith film 18, and weld together the free ends of band 17 to form aclosed-loop. Due to its low elongation properties and welded form ofconnection, band 17 serves to retain article 12 to packaging 13 in asecure and reliable fashion, which is highly desirable.

Film 18 is preferably in the form of any thin film plastic material withrelatively low elongation properties. As referenced briefly above, film18 is preferably provided as a continuous web which is wound onto anenlarged rotatable reel, or spool, 19 for ease of storage and subsequentusage by device 11.

The particular design and construction of film 18 is preferablydependent upon the designated packaging application. As an example, film18 may be clear or colored to provide a particular aesthetical effect.Additionally, film 18 may be branded or otherwise visibly marked (e.g.with a corporate logo) for marketing purposes. Lastly, film 18 may beprovided with a security device (e.g. an embedded radio frequencyidentification (RFID) chip or the like) to deter theft of article 12.

Referring to FIG. 3(a), device 11 includes an outer housing 20 adaptedto receive packaging 13 and article 12, a feed mechanism 21 foradvancing a segment of film 18, a sensor 42 for detecting that film 18is in place to begin the banding sequence, a clamping mechanism 22 forretaining the overlapping portion of band 17 in place, a tensioning modein mechanism 21 for controlling the loop tension in band 17, a bondingmechanism 23 for securing together the overlapping portion of band 17,and a severing mechanism 24 for separating band 17 from the remainder offilm 18. As a product of the operation of device 11, a single band 17wraps article 12 securely to packaging 13 through slots 16-1 and 16-2 ofpackaging 13, as shown in FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 1, housing 20 is represented herein as a rectangular,box-shaped enclosure that includes a front panel 25, a rear panel 26, aleft side panel 27, a right side panel 28, a top panel 29 and a bottompanel 30 that together define a substantially enclosed interior cavity31 into which the majority of the components of device 11 are disposed.As can be seen, top panel 29 is shaped to define a narrow lateral slot44 which provides access to interior cavity 31.

It should be noted that reel 19 of film 18 may be disposed outside ofhousing 20 and fed into interior cavity 31 for banding through acorresponding opening (e.g. in side panel 28), as represented in FIG. 1.Alternatively, housing 20 may be dimensioned to receive reel 19 of film18 within interior cavity 31.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 3(a), device 11 includes a feed mechanism21 disposed within interior cavity 31 of housing 20 that advances asegment of film. Feed mechanism 21 includes a series of rollers 32-1thru 32-4 that feed film 18 along a specified path. Film guide 33-2directs film 18 through slot 16-2 of packaging 13. Film 18 is placedaround article 12 and directed through slot 16-1 of packaging 13 viafilm guide 33-1. A stepper motor (not shown) is used for regulating thetautness of film 18 during the tensioning mode of feed mechanism 21.

Feed mechanism 21 includes both active, or drive, rollers and passive,or pinch, rollers 32-1 thru 32-4. Active rollers are directly orindirectly driven by a stepper motor (not shown), the operation of whichis regulated by an electronic controller (not shown). In turn,activation of the device motor is achieved through control panel 46provided on the exterior of housing 20.

Specifically, as seen most clearly in FIG. 1, an externally accessible,depressible lighted power toggle switch coupled with a power inputreceptacle 43 is provided on side panel 28 of housing 20 and serves todeliver power to the electronic controller for device 11 when a poweredinput cord (not shown) is attached. The lighted power toggle switchcoupled with a power input receptacle 43 on side panel 28 of housing 20,when lit, indicates that power is being delivered to the controller fordevice 11.

Additionally, an externally accessible, depressible film advance button34 is provided in control panel 46 and is in electrical connection withthe electronic controller for device 11. Upon depression of button 34,the electronic controller delivers power to the motor, which in turnactivates feed mechanism 21 to the extent that a defined length of film18 is automatically delivered for use in securing article 12 topackaging 13, as will be explained further below.

Film guides 33-1 and 33-2 are a pair of opposing arcuate chutes thatserve to facilitate directing film 18 around packaging 13 and article12. Each guide 33 is generally arc shaped in transverse cross-sectionand is dimensioned to fittingly receive and direct band 17 along theappropriate path.

Each guide 33 is positioned within interior cavity 31 such that itsdistal end projects partially through slot 44 in housing 20.Accordingly, as will be explained further below, the distal end of eachguide 33 is dimensioned to fittingly project through a correspondingslot 16 in packaging 13. In this manner, guides 33 serve to not onlyhold packaging 13 in position on device 11 but also assist in feedingfilm 18 through slots 16 in packaging 13.

Preferably, film guide 33-1 is a fixed, or stationary, chute that islocated at one end of slot 31. By contrast, film guide 33-2 is a movablechute that is adapted to slide linearly within slot 44 in bothdirections relative to fixed film guide 33-1. In this manner, thespacing between film guides 33 can be adjusted to compensate forvariances in the spacing between the pair of pre-punched slots 16 inpackaging 13 (i.e. to accommodate a wide range of possible packagingapplications).

As referenced above, activation of button 34 extracts a defined lengthof film 18 for use in securing article 12 to packaging 13. Note thatactivation includes but is not limited to button 34. (i.e a foot pedalor other switching device may be used). The ability to extract a sectionof film 18 to a defined length is achieved using a stepper motor (notshown) coupled with the controller (not shown) for device 11.Accordingly, the controller for device 11, which is electricallyconnected to the stepper motor, can calculate the proper length of film18 to be extracted (e.g. by counting the number of steps the steppermotor has moved radially).

The length of the extracted portion of film 18 (i.e. the portion of film18 to ultimately serve as band 17) can be varied by the user throughmanual adjustment of a numeric length indicator 35 provided in controlpanel 46 of housing 20. As can be appreciated, the numeric lengthindicator 35 is coupled to the controller for device 11 and can therebymodify the measured length (e.g. adjusting the panel to read 200indicates a defined length of extracted film 18) and activate the feedmechanism 21 accordingly. The ability to modify the length of film 18 isuseful since different packaging applications will typically havedifferent banding requirements. In particular, the length of film 18 isoften largely dictated by the shape of article 12 with which it is used.

As referenced briefly above, feed mechanism 21 extracts a defined lengthof film 18 (i.e. band 17) that is, in turn, wrapped around article 12and packaging 13 in a partially overlapping fashion. To maintain film 18tightly wrapped around article 12 and packaging 13, a clamping mechanism22 located within interior cavity 31 selectively applies a retainingforce onto film 18 when initiated by sensor 42. Specifically, sensor 42is designed to detect machine-readable features incorporated into film18 at defined intervals. For instance, the entire length of film 18 mayinclude markings, such as a sequence of equally-spaced printed lines,which are not detectable by the human eye (e.g. using ultraviolet dyesor inks) but are detectable by sensor 42. Sensor 42 can utilize markingson film 18 to calculate the proper overlap length of film 18 requiredfor band 17, as it is inserted into film guide 33-1, to initiate thebanding sequence.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 3(a), clamping mechanism 22 includes, interalia, a backing anvil 37, a tail clamp head 38 and a holding clamp head39 that apply forces on film 18 to the extent necessary to retain film18 in its properly wrapped configuration. Anvil 37 is a planar memberthat is slidably mounted within interior cavity 31. As will be describedfurther below, anvil 37 is disposed to selectively project betweenbottom surface 15 of packaging 13 and film 18 (band 17).

Tail clamp head 38 is a block-type member that is slidably mountedwithin interior cavity 31. Tail clamp head 38 is disposed to selectivelyprotrude towards the underside of backing anvil 37 with film 18 disposedthere between. As such, backing anvil 37 and tail clamp head 38 applypressure onto opposite sides of the tail portion of film 18 so as todefine the overlap portion of band 17.

The non-secured end of the film 18 passes through a cutout portion oftail clamp head 38. The feed mechanism 21 has a tensioning mode as thedevice motor rotates the active rollers in a direction opposite of theextracted film 18. This operation enables film 18 to achieve apredetermined loop tension. Accordingly, through the adjustment of anexternal tension control knob 36, which is provided in control panel 46the tension of film 18 can be modified to suit the needs of the intendedpackaging application. Accordingly, the controller for device 11, whichis electrically connected to the stepper motor, can calculate the propertension to be applied and then deactivate feed mechanism 21. Holdingclamp head 39 is a block-type member that is slidably mounted withininterior cavity 31. Similar to tail clamp head 38, holding clamp head 39is disposed to selectively protrude towards the underside of backinganvil 37 with film 18 disposed there between. As such, backing anvil 37and holding clamp head 39 apply pressure onto opposite sides of the tailportion of film 18 so as to secure its shape in a closed loopconfiguration.

Severing mechanism 24 includes a movable knife blade 41 that is locatedin interior cavity 31 and regulated by the device controller. Thepresent invention also contemplates that a shearing mechanism may beused instead of knife blade 41. As will be explained further below,knife blade 41 is disposed between heat stake head 40, tail clamp head38 and holding clamp head 39, and is adapted to be selectively driveninto contact with film 18. Based on its location, knife blade 41 seversthe enclosed band 17 from the remainder of film 18.

With band 17 retained in a closed-loop configuration by clampingmechanism 22, bonding mechanism 23 secures together the overlappingportion (i.e. the free ends) of band 17. Bonding mechanism 23 comprisesa movable heat stake head 40 that is located in interior cavity 31 andregulated by the device controller. As will be explained further below,heat stake head 40 is driven into contact against the overlappingportion of band 17, with backing anvil 37 providing support for theopposite surface of the overlapping portion. The heat applied from head40 is of a sufficient temperature to weld together the overlappingsegments of band 17, thereby permanently securing band 17 in its closedloop configuration. Backing anvil 37 then retracts to free the band fromthe banding device, thereby resulting in the securely packaged productshown in FIG. 2

It should be noted that bonding mechanism 23 is not limited to the useof heat to bond together the overlapping segments of film 18 to formband 17. Rather, it is to be understood that bonding mechanism 23 couldbond the overlapping segments of film 18 to form band 17 by alternativemeans (e.g. through ultrasonic welding) without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

Operation of Banding Device 11

Referring now to FIGS. 3(a)-(i), banding device 11 can be used in thefollowing manner to apply non-elastic plastic band 17 securely aroundarticle of commerce 12 and packaging 13 in a simple, effective, andlargely automated fashion. To commence the banding process, packaging 13is disposed on housing 20 such that arcuate guides 33-1 and 33-2fittingly protrude through corresponding slots 16-1 and 16-2,respectively, as shown in FIG. 3(a). If necessary, movable guide 33-2can be displaced within slot 44 to accommodate the particular widthbetween slots 16-1 and 16-2. Once properly mounted, bottom surface 15 ofpackaging 13 lies generally flat against top panel 29 of housing 20. Thefitted relationship between guides 33 and slots 16 retain packaging 13fixedly in place on housing 20.

With packaging 13 mounted on housing 20 in the manner set forth above,article 12 is disposed on top surface 14 of packaging 13 between slots16-1 and 16-2. Any fine adjustment of the position of article 12relative to packaging 13 is then undertaken until the items are disposedin their desired relationship for packaging.

The operator then activates device 11 by depressing run button 34, withindication of operability being provided by an indicator light which isilluminated on run button 34. Prior to commencing the band deliveryoperation, the operator sets the desired length and tension of film 18via controls 35 and 36, respectively. As can be appreciated, the lengthand tension of resultant band 17 is largely dependent upon theparticular packaging application.

To commence the band delivery process, the operator depresses button 34which delivers a signal to the device controller. In response thereto,the device controller activates device motor, which rotably drivesactive rollers in feed mechanism 21. Accordingly, rollers 32-1 thru 32-4extract a section of film 18 at the desired length, as specified above.It is to be understood that the proper length of the extracted sectionof film 18 is determined by a stepper motor (not shown), which countsthe number of radial steps and the controller of device 11 calculatesthe proper length of film 18 to extract.

As seen in FIG. 3(b), the free end 18-1 of the extracted section of film18 is directed by guide 33-2 upward through slot 16-2 in packaging 13and is thereby externally accessible. The operator then pulls a portionof the extracted section across article 12 and, in turn, manuallyinserts free end 18-1 through slot 16-1 using guide 33-1, as shown inFIG. 3(c).

Device 11 detects the insertion of free end 18-1 back into interiorcavity 31 by sensor 42. Sensor 42 is designed to detect machine-readablefeatures incorporated into film 18 at defined intervals. Film 18includes markings, such as a sequence of equally-spaced printed lines(e.g. spacing may range, between 0.5 mm and 50.0 mm), which are notdetectable by the human eye (e.g. using ultraviolet dyes or inks) butare detectable by sensor 42. Sensor 42 can utilize markings on film 18to calculate the proper overlap length of film 18 required, as it isinserted into film guide 33-1. When the proper overlap length of film 18is detected by sensor 42, the banding sequence is initiated. As seen inFIG. 3(d), tail clamp head 38 of clamping mechanism 22 is displacedinward by the device motor upon activation and urges free end 18-1 offilm 18 against the underside of backing anvil 37. In this capacity, theextracted section (i.e. film 18) is formed into a generally closed loop,with tail clamp head 38 directing free end 18-1 inside the trailingsegment of film 18 in an overlapping fashion. Once the tail clamp head38 engages the free end 18-1 of film 18 against backing anvil 37, thedevice motor rotates the active rollers in feed mechanism 21 in adirection opposite of the extracted film 18 operation enabling film 18to achieve a predetermined loop tension as set by tension control knob36.

With film 18 at a predetermined loop tension as set by tension controlknob 36, holding clamp head 39 is displaced, commencing formation ofband 17. Holding clamp head 39 of clamping mechanism 22 urges trailingend 17-2 of band 17 against tail end 17-1 and presses both theoverlapping trailing end 17-2 and the tail end 17-1 against theunderside of backing anvil 37, as seen in FIG. 3(e). In this capacity, aband 17 is formed.

Upon completion of the holding clamp sequence, knife blade 41 ofsevering mechanism 24 is driven upward by the device motor sliding alongtail clamp head 38 with suitable force to sever band 17 from theremainder of film 18, as represented in FIG. 3(f). With knife blade 41positioned to sever film 17 in the manner set forth above, it is to beunderstood that no excess or unused film 18 (i.e. scrap) is produced bydevice 11, thereby maximizing the overall efficiency andcost-effectiveness of device 11.

Thereafter, heat stake head 40 of heat stake mechanism 23 is drivenupward by the device motor towards backing anvil 37, as represented inFIG. 3(g). The heat applied from heat stake head 40 is imparted onto theoverlapping portion of band 17 and is of a sufficient temperature topermanently weld together the two overlapping segments. The heat stakehead 40 may contain one of various patterns or combinations thereof, butis not limited to, the patterns seen in FIG. 4a-e to direct heat to band17.

As shown in FIG. 3(h), immediately after the aforementioned filmsevering step, knife blade 41, holding clamp head 39, tail clamp head 38and heat stake head 40 retract back toward bottom panel 30 to itsoriginal starting position. During this motion, as shown in FIG. 3(i),anvil 37 retracts toward front panel 25, allowing commercial article 12,packaging 13 and band 17 to release from device 11. After releasingcommercial article 12, packaging 13 and band 17 from device 11, anvil 37returns to the starting position. In this manner, device 11 is preparedto repeat the above-described banding process as often as needed.

As a result of the aforementioned banding process, an individual,non-elastic band 17 is permanently retained in a closed loopconfiguration around article 12 and packaging 13, as shown in FIG. 2. Ascan be seen, ends 17-1 and 17-2 overlap one another and are permanentlybonded together to securely retain band 17 in its closed loopconfiguration. Once banded together, article 12 and packaging 13 can besimply lifted off of housing 20.

As a feature of the present invention, the non-elastic nature of band 17serves to retain article 12 securely to packaging 13 with greater forcethan a traditional elastic-type fastener. Additionally, the largelyautomated operation of device 11 renders the application of band 17around article 12 and packaging 13 easier to implement than traditionalcable ties or other similar types of harnessing devices that aretypically installed by hand. Lastly, device 11 is able to direct band 17through preformed slots 16 in packaging 13, rather than envelope theentire display card, thereby resulting in a packaged article that isaesthetically pleasing and less susceptible to damage (e.g. bowing ortearing of packaging 15).

The embodiment shown above is intended to be merely exemplary and thoseskilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations andmodifications to it without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. All such variations and modifications are intended to bewithin the scope of the present invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for securing together first and secondobjects with a band derived from a continuous plastic film, the bandhaving first and second ends, the device comprising: (a) a feedmechanism for extracting the band from the continuous plastic film andat least partially directing the band around the first and secondobjects; (b) a sensor that detects machine-readable featuresincorporated into the plastic film at defined intervals which are notdetectable by the human eye; (c) a clamping mechanism for retaining thefirst and second ends of the band together in an overlappingrelationship; (d) a tensioning mechanism for controlling loop tension inthe band around the first and second objects; (e) a severing mechanismto release the band from the continuous plastic film; and (f) a bondingmechanism for bonding the first and second ends together to secure theband in a closed loop configuration.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1further comprising a housing which includes a plurality of panels thattogether define an interior cavity dimensioned to receive at least aportion of the feed mechanism, at least a portion of the sensor, atleast a portion of the clamping mechanism, at least a portion of thetensioning mechanism, at least a portion of the severing mechanism andat least a portion of the bonding mechanism.
 3. The device as claimed inclaim 2 wherein the feed mechanism includes a pair of opposing filmguides that assist in directing the band around the first and secondobjects and each of the pair of opposing film guides is generallyarcuate in shape.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pairof opposing film guides are adapted to fittingly penetrate throughcorresponding holes formed in one of the first or second objects.
 5. Thedevice as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pair of opposing film guidesprotrude through a slot defined in one of the plurality of panels in thehousing.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of the pair ofopposing film guides is fixed in place and the other of the opposingfilm guides is adapted to be displaced within the slot.
 7. The device asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the feed mechanism comprises a plurality ofrollers that advance the band along a specified path.
 8. The device asclaimed in claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of rollers ismotor-driven.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the feedmechanism extracts a continuous, defined length of film.
 10. The deviceas claimed in claim 2 wherein the feed mechanism includes a tensioningmode to control loop tension in the plastic film at a defined setting.11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the tension of the band isadjustable through an external control provided in one of the pluralityof panels in the housing.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 2 includesa sensor adapted to detect machine readable features in the continuousplastic film which may not be detectable to the human eye.
 13. Thedevice as claimed in claim 2 wherein the clamping mechanism includes amovable backing anvil and a movable clamp head that selectively abutagainst opposing surfaces of the band in order to retain the band in aclosed loop configuration.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 2 whereinthe bonding mechanism includes a movable heat stake head that is adaptedto thermally bond together the first and second ends of the band. 15.The device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a severing mechanismfor separating the band from the continuous plastic film.
 16. The deviceas claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuous plastic film is embeddedwith covert identifiers that are not detectable by the human eye aid inoperation of the device.
 17. A method for securing together first andsecond objects with a band derived from a continuous plastic film, theband having first and second ends, at least one of the first and secondobjects having a pair of holes, the method comprising the steps of: (a)extracting the band from the continuous plastic film and at leastpartially directing the band through the pair of holes and around thefirst and second objects; (b) sensing and retaining the first end of theband in an overlapping relationship; (c) tensioning the band around thefirst and second objects; and (d) bonding the first and second endstogether to secure the band in a closed loop configuration.
 18. Themethod as claimed in claim 17 further comprising the step of severingthe band from the continuous plastic film.
 19. The method as claimed inclaim 17 wherein, in the extracting step, the band is extracted from thecontinuous plastic film at a modifiable length.
 20. The method asclaimed in claim 17 wherein, in the tensioning step, the band istensioned along the continuous plastic film at a modifiable tension.